Smoke Detector

Hello from way up high. I am a smoke detector. I am your little round friend that lives on the ceiling. Can you see me. My job is very important. I am like a nose for your whole house. I am always sniffing and smelling, even when you are fast asleep in your cozy bed. I watch over you all day and all night. I don't have eyes to see, but I have a super smeller to keep you safe from sneaky smoke. I love my job watching over my family from the ceiling.

My story started a long, long time ago. A very kind man named Duane Pirtle had a big idea on a sunny day, August 19th, 1969. He thought every house needed a special helper, a little guardian that never sleeps. He wanted me to be able to smell smoke before anyone else could. So he worked very hard to give me my special sniffer. He also gave me a very, very loud voice. It’s not a talking voice, but a loud beeping voice. It’s my special alarm to make sure everyone wakes up if there is trouble. I was so excited to be born from his big, caring idea.

Most of the time, I am very quiet. I just hang on the ceiling and listen to you play and laugh. But if my super-sniffer nose smells just a little bit of yucky smoke, I know it’s time to be a hero. I take a big breath and shout with my loud voice, 'BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.'. My sound is so loud to make sure everyone hears me, even sleepy heads. It tells your family to go outside where it is safe. I feel so proud when I do my job. I love being your sleepy-time guardian, helping to keep you safe and sound.